The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) don declare say National Identification Number (NIN) wey National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) issue now automatically don become Tax Identification Number (Tax ID)for individual Nigerians.
FIRS make this announcement for one public awareness message wey dem post for X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, as part of sensitisation on the new tax laws wey go start full implementation from January 2026.
According to FIRS, for registered businesses, the RC number wey Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) issue go now serve as their Tax ID under the new tax system.
This clarification come as many Nigerians don dey worry about provisions inside the new tax laws wey talk say Tax ID go be compulsory for some transactions, including bank account ownership.
Wetin FIRS Talk
FIRS explain say the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA), wey go start from January 2026, requires the use of Tax ID for certain financial and economic transactions. However, dem stress say the requirement no be new thing.
According to the agency, the policy don dey exist since the Finance Act of 2019, but the NTAA don only strengthen am.
“The Tax ID don unite all Tax Identification Numbers wey FIRS and state IRS don issue before into one single identifier,” FIRS talk.
“For individuals, your NIN automatically serve as your Tax ID, while for registered companies, your CAC RC numbergo be the Tax ID. You no need any physical card. The Tax ID na unique number wey link directly to your identity,” the statement add.
FIRS say the new system go simplify identification, reduce duplication, close loopholes for tax evasion and ensure fairness, so that everybody wey earn taxable income go contribute their fair share.
Wetin This One Mean
With this new arrangement, every Nigerian wey get NIN now automatically get Tax ID, as long as the person dey earn taxable income.
Data from National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) show say as of October 2025, about 123.9 million Nigerians don already collect NIN.
This development don clear the fear say Nigerians go need to go through another stressful process to register for Tax ID from next year before dem fit open bank accounts.
Wetin You Suppose Know
Earlier, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, don dismiss claims say all bank accounts must get Tax Identification Number before January 2026.
According to am, Section 4 of the NTAA only requires people wey dey earn taxable income to obtain Tax ID. Anybody wey dey make money from trade, business or any economic activity fall under that category.
Oyedele explain say students, dependents and people wey no dey earn income no need Tax ID.
He also remind Nigerians say since 2020, anybody wey dey operate business or corporate bank account don already need Tax Identification Number.
 now automatically serve as Tax ID for Nigerians under new tax laws starting 2026.){kind=link}